How long does chicken salad last in the fridge?
Short answer: Chicken salad keeps 3–4 days in the fridge, and so do tuna, egg, ham and macaroni salad. They don't freeze well.
Chicken salad: fridge and freezer times
| Food | Fridge (40°F / 4°C) | Freezer (0°F / −18°C) |
|---|---|---|
| Egg, chicken, ham, tuna or macaroni salad | 3–4 days | Doesn't freeze well |
The fridge times are for safety: once they pass, throw it out. The freezer times are for best quality. Food kept frozen at 0°F stays safe indefinitely but slowly loses flavor and texture.
How to use it before it goes bad
- Keep the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or colder. The times above assume it. A cheap fridge thermometer tells you for sure.
- Freeze on day one, not on the last day. If you won't eat it within the fridge time, freeze it as soon as you get home.
- Write the date on it. It's easy to lose count of how long something has been open.
- Put it where you'll see it. Food at the back of the fridge is the food that gets forgotten.
Common questions
How long does chicken salad last in the fridge?
Chicken salad keeps 3–4 days in the fridge, and so do tuna, egg, ham and macaroni salad. They don't freeze well.
How long does chicken salad last in the freezer?
Frozen at 0°F (−18°C), chicken salad stays safe indefinitely. For best quality, use it within: egg, chicken, ham, tuna or macaroni salad: doesn't freeze well.
Can chicken salad sit out at room temperature?
Perishable food shouldn't sit out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if it's above 90°F (32°C). After that, throw it out.
How long other foods last
Source: FoodSafety.gov, Cold Food Storage Chart. This page is general information, not medical advice. When in doubt, throw it out.